Strap In For The Wildest NBA Free Agency Ride Yet

Written by David Hess

Image licensed from USA Today Sports

The NBA Finals are over and now we head into free agency. Many will be closely watching this year’s edition. The most significant free agent on the block is Lebron James, but there other big names that may be on the move this year as well. We will take a look at a few of the significant potential moves. Please keep your arms and legs in the vehicle at all times as we embark on this wild ride known as NBA Free Agency.

Where Is Lebron Headed?

The biggest order of business this offseason is seeing where Lebron James lands. Reports out of Cleveland are that he already lowered the price of his mansion, turned in his library card, and canceled his newspaper subscription (they still have those?). Plus, one of the local stores in Cleveland has already slashed the price of his jersey. He recently flew out to Los Angeles to plot his next move. He does have a summer home in L.A. and could just be setting up his free agency meetings...or he could be paying a visit to the Lakers for some talks.

The Lakers are the odds-on favorites to land Lebron at 4/13, while the Cavaliers are 2nd at 13/4. It is highly unlikely that he will stay in Cleveland, especially since he has stated that he will not be meeting with the team in person. Next on the list are the Rockets at 15/2 and 4th are the Sixers at 10/1. The Sixers are a team that is poised to take over the Eastern Conference, and Lebron would help them do just that in fairly short order, but still, the feeling is that he wants to play in the west and the Lakers are a young and hungry team.

It looks as if that will be his destination. Remember, he has been to the NBA Finals the last eight years, so whoever lands him will be in excellent shape next year. The feeling here is that it will be the Lakers and that will definitely intensify the Lebron vs. Durant rivalry.

Spurs & Kawhi Leonard Are About To Part Ways

The San Antonio Spurs and Kawhi Leonard have had a friendly relationship over the years, but it was a bit rocky this past season as he played just nine games due to a quadriceps injury. Many around the league, including his teammates, questioned the validity of the injury and it caused tension in both camps. Well, the Spurs have begun serious trade talks around the league and Leonard has stated that he is hell-bent on parting ways with the team.

The Boston Celtics are currently the odds-on favorites to land Leonard at +175, while the 76ers are second at +285, and the Orlando Magic at +350. Philadelphia could be his landing spot, as they have stated that they want the 27-year-old forward badly. Reports out of the Sixers camp are that they would likely trade Dario Saric and Robert Covington, plus a future first-round pick for Leonard. He would be an excellent fit for a Philadelphia team that is on the verge of taking over the Eastern Conference.

DeAndre Jordan To The Mavericks?

DeAndre Jordan has been the latest to announce that he is opting out of his contract with the Clippers. As of this writing, there are no current odds as to where he might land, but the feeling is that it will be Dallas. Jordan nearly went to Dallas back in 2015, but he changed his mind at the last minute and wound up playing for the Clippers. Dallas even declined Dirk Nowitzki’s $5 million option to make more cap room for Jordan. They will still sign Nowitzki, but only after his contract has been restructured. The Mavs have stated that they do not want to part ways with draft picks to get Jordan and the only way they would go after him is if he is a free agent. Well, now he is, but also keep in mind that the Warriors have stated they will go after him as well.

Final Trade & Free Agency Rumors

Demarcus Cousins will likely re-sign with the New Orleans Pelicans five months after he suffered a torn Achilles. He could also land in Indiana. Chris Paul is likely to stay in Houston as a lucrative deal seems imminent. Kevin Durant should stay at Golden State, but will likely be signing just a one-year contract, while it looks as if Dwyane Wade will remain with the Heat. Paul George could have been headed to Los Angeles but yesterday stated he would be staying with the Thunder. The NBA’s free agency season is always a wild ride and this one may be the wildest.

David Hess

I have always had a fascination with numbers and sports, so I combined the two to become a handicapper and a blogger. I love sports and I love writing about them and all the info I put in my blogs is well-thought-out and well-researched. I am a big fan of all the major sports and the colleges, plus I know golf pretty well, tennis and the WNBA. I am very versatile. Hope you enjoy my content.